GPS Safety Summary
Contacts
Hexamethylenediamine
Chemical Identity
Brand names
Chemical name (IUPAC)
Synonyms
Rhodiamine HMD
Hexane-1,6-diamine
HMD; HMDA; 1,6-diaminohexane; 1,6-hexanediamine
CAS number
Molecular formula
Molecular weight
124-09-4
C6H16N2
116.20 g/mol
Applications
Hexamethylenediamine (HMD) is produced from adiponitrile and is mainly used in the production of polymers especially as a monomer for the
synthesis of nylon 6-6. It is used also in a wide range of applications in coatings, lubricants and water treatment products.
Safety Assessment, Exposure and Risk Management Recommendations
Physical and chemical properties
Property
Physical state
Colour
Odour
Boiling point
Melting point range
Flammability
Water solubility
Octanol water partition
Health effects
Result
Solid at room temperature
Colourless to white
Strong, amine odour
201°C at atmospheric pressure
39 – 41°C at atmospheric pressure
Non flammable
Readily soluble
Low potential for bioaccumulation
HMD causes adverse effects to human health by
dermal, inhalation and oral routes.
Stringent safety measures must be respected for
HMD handling. For more details, consult the Safety
Data Sheet.
Environmental effects
HMD is harmful to aquatic organisms. It is, however,
readily biodegradable, not persistent and has a low
potential for bioaccumulation.
Industrial sites emissions, disposal, treatment or
recycling must comply with applicable regulations to
preserve the environment.
Regulatory information and certifications
Classification and labelling
Registration and certification
EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP)
Acute toxicity, Oral, Cat. 4
Acute toxicity, Dermal, Cat. 4
Skin Corrosion, Cat. 1B
STOT, single exposure, Cat. 3
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H314 Causes severe skin burns and
eye damage
H335 May cause respiratory
irritation
Danger
Hexamethylenediamine GPS Safety Summary – Rev 0 Sept 2012
ISO 9001: 2008 certified
EU regulation on chemicals (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH)
GPS Safety Summary
This Product Safety Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the chemical substance in the
context of ICCA Global Product Strategy. The information on the Summary is basic information and is not
intended to provide emergency response information, medical information or treatment information. The
summary should not be used to provide in-depth safety and health information. In-depth safety and health
information can be found on the (extended) Safety Data Sheet (e)SDS for the chemical substance.
Hexamethylenediamine
General Statement
Hexamethylenediamine (HMD) is an organic compound. The colourless solid has a strong amine odour. It is
synthesised from adiponitrile.
It is mainly used for the production of polymers and especially as a monomer for the synthesis of nylon 6-6
via condensation with adipic acid. HMD is also used in the chemical industry for a wide range of
applications.
The pure substance causes adverse effects to human health, it is corrosive for skin and causes serious eye
damage, it may be irritating to the upper respiratory tract and is harmful if swallowed or in contact with
skin. It is not classified as dangerous for the environment.
It is handled in industry under stringent safety conditions in accordance with the risk management
measures to control the risk of exposure and preserve human health and environment.
Consumer exposure to hexamethylenediamine is not expected.
Chemical Identity
Name:
Brand names:
Chemical name (IUPAC):
Synonyms:
CAS number(s):
EC number:
Molecular formula:
Hexamethylenediamine
Rhodiamine HMD
Hexane-1,6-diamine
HMD; HMDA; 1,6-diaminohexane; 1,6-hexanediamine
124-09-4
204-679-6
C6H16N2
Structure:
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Uses and applications
Hexamethylenediamine is a key intermediate used in industrial yarns, textile, carpet, engineering
thermoplastics, resin, and coating applications. It is a precursor to the manufacturing of nylon 6-6 and
polyurethanes.
HMD is also used for the formulation of coatings, epoxy curing agents, petroleum additives, adhesives, inks,
scale and corrosion inhibitors, and water treatment chemicals.
Hexamethylenediamine is only used for industrial purposes.
Physical/Chemical Properties
Phys/Chem Safety Assessment
Property
Value
Physical state
Form
Colour
Odour
Molecular weight
Melting Point range
Boiling Point
Flash point
Flammability
Explosive properties
Self-ignition temperature
Vapour pressure
Water solubility
Octanol Water partition coefficient (log Kow)
Solid at 20°C and atmospheric pressure
Crystalline powder
Colourless to white
Strong amine odour
116.20 g/mol
39 - 41°C at atmospheric pressure
201°C at atmospheric pressure
85°C at atmospheric pressure
Non flammable
Non explosive
315°C at atmospheric pressure
0.27 hPa at 20°C
637 g/l at 20°C, readily soluble
0.4 at 25°C, low potential for bioaccumulation
Based on available data, hexamethylenediamine is not classified regarding physical and chemical hazards,
according to EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008.
Hexamethylenediamine is solid at room temperature; however, for physico-chemical properties relevant
for occupational exposure, it has to be considered as a liquid as it is always handled and used in such a
state. It is occasionally transported or placed on the market in drums as a mass crystallized solid, but it is
always used after melting the product.
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Health Effects
Human Health Safety Assessment
Effect Assessment
Result
Acute Toxicity
Oral/inhalation/dermal
Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin.
No reliable data available by inhalation. Moreover, since the
substance is corrosive, no further tests are required.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause an irritation of the upper respiratory tract.
No reliable data available for skin sensitization. Moreover, since the
substance is corrosive, no further tests are required.
May cause an irritation of the upper respiratory tract after repeated
exposure.
Neither mutagenic nor genetic effect, based on in vitro and in vivo
tests results
No carcinogenic effects expected.
Studies showed neither genotoxicity nor systemic toxicity.
In addition, since the substance is classified as corrosive and irritant
for respiratory tract, long-term human professional exposure must
be minimized.
No adverse effect on fertility and on development based on results
from a two generation study and a prenatal development study in
rats.
Irritation / corrosion
Skin/eye/respiratory tract
Sensitisation
Toxicity after repeated exposure
Oral/inhalation/dermal
Genotoxicity / Mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Toxicity for reproduction
All these results are based on available data. Hexamethylenediamine is classified as hazardous for health
according to EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008.
Environmental Effects
Environment Safety Assessment
Effect Assessment
Aquatic Toxicity
Result
Harmful to invertebrates
Not harmful to fish and algae
Fate and behaviour
Biodegradation
Bioaccumulation potential
PBT / vPvB conclusion
Result
Readily biodegradable
Not potentially bioaccumulative (Log Kow = 0.4)
Not considered to be either PBT nor vPvB
Based on available data, hexamethylenediamine is considered as harmful to aquatic invertebrates, but as it
is readily biodegradable and not potentially bioaccumulative, it is not classified as dangerous for the
environment according to EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008.
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Exposure
Hexamethylenediamine is only used in industry. Considering its industrial lifecycle, from manufacture to its
use in chemical synthesis or in preparations, human and environmental exposure have been assessed
through exposure scenarios in the REACH dossier.
Pure HMD is a corrosive substance. Frequent and direct contact with the substance must be avoided.
Manual phases must be minimized and the substance must be handled under stringent safety conditions in
accordance with the risk management measures to control the risk of exposure and to preserve human
health and environment.
Human health
On industrial sites, hexamethylenediamine is manufactured and handled as much as possible in closed
processes which ensure that the risk is controlled. Where there is a risk of exposure, during (un)loading,
mixing, sampling, analysis or maintenance operations, it must be kept as low as possible and at a safe level
(strictly below exposure limits, when applied) by the use of appropriate risk management measures as
suitable collective and personal protective equipment, good industrial hygiene practices and risk
communication through appropriate training of workers.
Environment
Hexamethylenediamine is water soluble and readily biodegradable, it has a low potential for
bioaccumulation and for volatilization in the water compartments. Based on its physical and chemical
properties, if HMD was released into the environment, it would be mainly distributed in water and would
not be persistent.
On the manufacturing site, the risk for the aquatic environment is controlled as effluents that may contain
the substance are either directed to an on-site or municipal waste water treatment plant or incinerated onsite in an incinerator allowed to destroy hazardous wastes in compliance with European legislation.
Due to its toxicological and ecotoxicological properties, an indirect risk of human exposure via the
environment is not expected for hexamethylenediamine.
Risk Management Recommendations
Hexamethylenediamine is used only in industry; recommendations are based on the risk assessment to
preserve human health and environment.
Human health
Workers must be well informed and trained and must refer to the extended Safety Data Sheet (eSDS).
In order to control possible risks during the handling of the substance (during (un)loading, mixing, sampling,
analysis or maintenance operations), the substance must be contained by technical means. Where this is
not possible, handling must be under an effective exhaust ventilation system and appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn (safety goggles, gloves, protective suit) as recommended in the
eSDS.
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In case of risk of exposure to dust, aerosol or vapour of the molten substance, a respirator with approved
filter must be worn as the substance may be irritating to the upper respiratory tract.
Hygiene measures must be respected (accessible emergency equipment, well-maintained PPE, wash hands
and skin following contact, do not eat, drink or smoke on the workplace).
Environment
All industrial aqueous releases that may contain the substance are controlled in accordance with the risk
assessment and must be directed to a waste water treatment plant or incinerated in compliance with local
regulation.
Disposal, treatment or recycling of industrial waste must comply with applicable regulations to preserve
environment.
State Agency Review
Hexamethylenediamine has been registered
under:
Hexamethylenediamine has been reviewed
under the following regulatory and/or
voluntary programmes:
EU regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH)
OECD list of High Production Volume chemicals:
UNEP publication in 2002
Regulatory Information / Classification and Labelling
Substance classification and labelling according to EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP)*:
Classification
Acute toxicity, Oral, Category 4
Acute toxicity, Dermal, Category 4
Skin corrosion, Category 1B
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure,
Category 3
H302
H312
H314
H335
Harmful if swallowed.
Harmful in contact with skin.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause respiratory irritation.
Labelling
Pictogram:
Signal word:
Danger
Hazard statements:
Precautionary statements:
H302
H312
H314
H335
P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P280 Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face
protection.
P301 + 330 + 331 IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P303 + P361 + P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/ Take off immediately
all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/ shower.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several
minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue
rinsing.
P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician.
Harmful if swallowed.
Harmful in contact with skin.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause respiratory irritation.
*Harmonised EU classification and labelling
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Contact information within company
For further information on this substance or Product Safety Summaries in general, please contact:
Rhodia Global Product Strategy: http://www.rhodia.com/en/sustainability/global_product_strategy/index.tcm
Contact: [email protected]
Additional information
ICCA Global Product Strategy: http://www.icca-chem.org/en/Home/ICCA-initiatives/global-product-strategy/
(extended) Safety Data Sheet available on demand: http://www.rhodia.com/en/contact/contact_form_business.tcm
Glossary of technical terms: http://www.rhodia.com/en/sustainability/global_product_strategy/glossary/index.tcm
Date of issue: September 2012
Revision: 0
Disclaimer
The information provided in the present Safety Summary is based on European data available in REACH
regulatory dossier (EC N°1907/2006) and is correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief at
the date of its publication. Such information is only intended to provide a general overview of the chemical
substance in the context of ICCA Global Product Strategy and is not to be considered as a warranty or
quality specification. It does not replace the safety data sheet and technical sheets. Thus, the information
provided in this Safety Summary only relates to the designated specific product and may not be applicable
if such product is used in combination with other materials or in another manufacturing process, unless
otherwise specifically indicated. It does not release the user from ensuring he is in conformity with all
regulations linked to its activity.
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